Kelly Richmond, Arlan Rodeo

Sensory Evaluation of Fruit Treated with Ethyl Formate

  • by Ann Filmer

Beth Mitcham’s postharvest lab in the Department of Plant Sciences at UC Davis is determining if ethyl formate treatments affect the sensory quality of citrus fruit.

Ethyl formate naturally occurs in many plants, fruits, soils, and insects. It is used as a flavoring agent in foods and beverages, and used in the fragrance and cosmetic industries. It is classified as Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA.

Kelly Richmond, Arlan Rodeo
From left, Kelly Richmond and Arlan Rodeo, Plant Sciences, UC Davis, conduct a consumer postharvest sensory evaluation on mandarin citrus fruit. (photo Ann Filmer/UC Davis)

 

Pictured here are Junior Specialist Kelly Richmond and Ph.D. student Arlan Rodeo, both working in Mitcham’s lab. They are inviting people to taste mandarin citrus pieces and determine if there are differences in taste.

Ethyl formate is currently being examined as a possible fumigant in the U.S. to control postharvest pests on/in produce. It is registered for similar use as a fumigant in New Zealand, Australia, Israel, and other countries.

evaluation sheet
Consumer evaluation sheet for sensory quality study. (photo Ann Filmer/UC Davis)

Beth Mitcham is a Cooperative Extension specialist and faculty member in the Dept. of Plant Sciences. In addition to this project, Kelly Richmond works with cherries, and Arlan Rodeo works with basil.

(Article by Ann Filmer, Dept. of Plant Sciences, UC Davis)

Sign for participants
(photo Ann Filmer/UC Davis)

Primary Category

Postharvest handling

Tags

Cooperative Extension Food safety Fruit crops Insects et al Pest management Postharvest handling Students and education